Portable Drive Unit

ABSTRACT

A portable drive unit ( 10 ) for operating a handheld power tool ( 70 ) by means of suction and/or blown air, is portable in an especially handy and space-saving way in that it has a housing ( 11 ), which is designed as a case ( 13 ) that is closable with a lid ( 24 ), and that its air feeding power is adapted to the power requirement of the handheld power tool ( 70 ), and it serves to store at least one such or similar handheld power tool ( 70 ), particularly with its accessories, such as air-carrying tubes and hoses.

The present invention is based on a portable drive unit for handheldpower tools driven by suction and/or blown air.

PRIOR ART

Compact shop vacuum cleaners are known from US 2003/0208874 A1 andEuropean Patent Disclosure EP 1 382 285 A2, which serve as a cleaningtool and are provided with various accessories for vacuuming up dust,chips and the like as well as liquids, and which are furthermore usablein the blower mode as well.

From International Patent Disclosure WO 03/026841 A1, a tool case isalso known which contains a vacuum cleaner unit for picking up chips anddust. The known vacuums or tool cases are only conditionally suitable asa drive unit and carrying box for suction- or blown-air-operatedhandheld power tools.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

By the present invention having the characteristics of claim 1, acompact portable drive unit has been created which can be used bothalone as a vacuum cleaner and for driving air-drivable tools, especiallyhandheld power tools, with simultaneous vacuuming of dust while thesetools are in operation, and which serves as a carrying box forpreferably a plurality of various handheld tools and with them forms asystem for various processing methods that can be performed with eithersuction or blown air or both.

Because the drive unit has a housing which is designed as a case thatcan be closed with a lid and whose air feeding power is adapted to thepower required by the handheld power tool and at the same time serves tostore at least one handheld power tool, especially with accessories aswell as air-carrying tubes or hoses whose diameter is approximately 40mm, a novel handheld power tool system is created that operates withoutconnecting the handheld power tool to electrical current directly andthat furnishes enough working power and suction power.

Because it has a housing that is designed as a rectangular case withoutward-curved side faces, rounded corners and edges, and a flat topside and underside, especially with a lid curved inward in dishlikefashion in the middle with a strutlike handle, an especiallyconveniently and handily transported drive unit for air-driven handtools is created.

Because its housing comprises a case part, open at the top, which isclosable there by means of a lid that in particular is hinged about ahinge region, handheld power tools stored in it can be stowed inespecially good order and easily removed.

Because the lid is formed of two shells, of which the upper shellcomprises especially bending-resistant, impact-proof material and has acentral opening with a strutlike bridge as well as downward-bent, curvedouter edges and corners, and of which the lower shell comprisesmore-elastic, softer material and fits over the central opening in theupper shell and protrudes, curved downward, from the strutlike bridge,an especially stable container part that protects what is being carriedagainst impact from outside but simultaneously embraces it gently on theinside is created.

Because one side face of the case part has at least one, in particularmushroom-shaped protrusion about which a power cord, intended forsupplying current to the electric motor, can be wound, and the at leastone protrusion acts as a parking face, on which the drive unit can beset down and at the same time acts as an impact face for absorbingunwanted impacts in heavy-duty construction site operation that act on ahinge region of the lid, the product being carried is accommodated in away that is especially securely protected.

Because retaining/clamping elements are provided in the case part foraccommodating the handheld power tool, and in particular for firmlyretaining and/or clamping it in a prestressed manner, these elements inparticular being in the form of inflatable air cushion elements, thehandheld power tool can be carried in such a way that it is protectedagainst uncontrolled motion of its own or relative motion in theinterior of the case part when the drive unit is being carried and thusalso is protected against damage.

Because one air inlet and one air outlet opening, with means forcoupling a hose, are located side by side each on one of the two shorterside faces of the case part, then depending on the choice of handheldpower tool to be connected, a fast, convenient change of the operatingsetting of the drive unit from the suction mode to the blower mode ispossible.

Because skeleton-like reinforcing parts that support the edges areprovided in the lower case part, in form of framelike base parts, ontowhich more soft-elastic lateral shells can be constructed,shock-absorbing regions of the housing that comprise expensive, heavymaterial can be created with economy of material, and surfaces lesssubject to shock comprise the lighter-weight, less-expensive materialand at the same time thus improve shock absorption toward the inside.

Because recesses are provided on the reinforcing parts onto which theshells can be constructed, the weight of the housing can be kept low.

Because movable parts, intended for operation by hand, such as lidclosure buttons and a sealing lid for air entry are kept in acontrasting color compared to the color of the portable drive unit, theycan be found especially quickly and conveniently.

Because the case part has at least one vertical partition, whichseparates the vacuum cleaner and the storage space from one another, thehandheld power tool and its accessories can be stowed especiallylogically and securely.

Because the unit comprises two cases located side by side that inparticular are integrated with the case part and that in particular eachhave one lid, are closable, preferably in overlooking fashion, thehousing structure is rigid, and objects stowed in it are located in asecure, protected way.

Because the two cases of the vacuum cleaner are designed as a motor caseand a dust box with a dust monitoring opening, they and their contentsare securely protected, independently of one another, from outsideespecially against twisting in the event of shock and impact on thehousing.

Because detent clamping means for a suction hose are located on theinside of the lid, and the suction hose is designed in overlookingfashion, spirally placed/located parallel to the lid face, the hose isstowed in an especially space-saving and handy way.

Because a bypass valve is located on the dust lid, the vacuum cleanerunit is protected against an overload.

Because sealing lips are located between the lid and the case part, theentry of air from outside and the escape of dust are reliably precluded.

Because black reinforcing parts embrace the green/blue case part/lidpart, the softer and harder regions of the housing can be distinguishedintuitively from one another.

Because lighting means are located in the interior of the drive unit,especially in the case part/lid part, these means in particular havingLEDs and/or being in the form of graphical characters and/or symbols,preferably a fluorescent written marking, especially good monitoring ofthe contents in the storage compartment of the case part at a given timeis possible.

Because the outer faces of user control elements, particularly foropening and closing a lid or for actuating a switch button for turningthe drive unit on or off, are located inside the outer contour of thehousing, they or the contents stowed therein are protected againstunintentional opening or damage while being carried.

Because the switch button for turning the drive unit on or off isaccessible from outside for foot- or hand-operated control via anopening in the lid, both when the lid is closed and when it is open,turning the drive unit on and off is possible especially conveniently,simply, and safely.

Because a hose adapter is located on the air outlet in such a way thatit can be snapped in place and can be replaced with a blower grille, inparticular with a dust filter, in a firmly retainable way, the changebetween the blower and the suction mode—and vice versa—can be madeespecially quickly.

Because a replaceable adapter for the suction hose of the drive unit canbe replaced with a suction extraction adapter, intended predominantlyfor vacuum cleaning, especially for dust extraction in electric tools,the drive unit is usable, conveniently and with minimal conversion time,as both a vacuum cleaner and as a suction extractor for electric powertools. The air stream can be used for driving the handheld power toolsand for simultaneous suction extraction or blowing of dust, chips, andso forth.

Because an intermediate coupling piece for attaching an additionalsuction hose piece is located on the suction hose of the drive unit, thesuction hose can be lengthened as needed.

The user thus has the capability of using the drive unit for differenthand-held power tools that are driven with suction and/or compressed airand that require no direct power supply of their own.

DRAWINGS

The invention is described in further detail below in terms of oneexemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the drive unit obliquely fromthe front;

FIG. 2 shows the drive unit obliquely from behind;

FIG. 3 shows the drive unit of FIG. 1 obliquely from above with the lidopen;

FIG. 4 shows the drive unit of FIG. 1 obliquely from the left;

FIG. 5 shows the drive unit of FIG. 3 with a hose put in place in spiralform;

FIG. 6 shows a suction-operated handheld power sander for operation withthe drive unit;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the drive unit;

FIG. 8 a shows a hose coupling for attaching the suction hose to thedrive unit or to an air-driven handheld power sander;

FIG. 8 b shows a top plate with a connection stub for connecting thehose to the blower opening;

FIG. 8 c shows a coupling piece for connecting the suction hose to anelectric handheld power tool, with a connection stub for a 19-millimeterhose;

FIG. 8 d shows a coupling piece for connecting the suction hose to anelectric handheld power tool, with a connection stub for a 35-millimeterhose;

FIG. 8 e shows an intermediate hose coupling for attaching an extensionpiece and the suction hose; and

FIG. 8 f shows a drilling aid for a hand power drill for suctionextraction of drilling dust at its site of origin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The three-dimensional view shown in FIG. 1 of a caselike drive unit 10obliquely from the front shows its longitudinal axis 12, which extendsparallel to the front side 14 and back side 16. The lower region of thedrive unit 10 is a six-sided, block-shaped case 13, open at the top,which is closed on its underside 15 by means of a bottom 17. The case 13also has a left and right side 18, 20, a and a top side 25, which isembodied by the lid 24.

The case 13 is formed by a chassislike skeleton case 22 of impact-proofhigh-quality material, which has a left and a right side shell 19, 21 ofcomparatively elastic, lightweight material and the pivotably supportedlid 24 hammered on on the hinge side 25, the lid forming the top side 26of the drive unit 10.

The lid 24 comprises a lid frame 26, which like the skeleton case 22comprises impact-proof, high-quality material and on which a lid shell27 that is concave—when seen from above—is secured. The lid frame 26forms a central handle piece 28, which can be conveniently grasped withthe hand and assures good, balanced carrying of the drive unit 10.

Two snap closures 30, 31 are located on the front side 14 of the case13, at the top, adjacent to the lid 24, and with them the lid 24 on thecase 13 can be closed securely against unintentional opening.

On the left side 18, a suction opening 32 and a blower opening 33 passparallel to one another through the left side shell 19.

On the top side of the case 13, in the corner between the left side 18and the back side 16, there is a switch button 34, which is heldelastically prestressed in its outset position by means of a springsystem 35, and from that position it can be pressed from above into theon or off position. The switch button 34 passes through a fittingopening 29 in the lid 34, so that its outer face extends flush with theouter face of the lid 24, and even when the lid 24 is closed, thisswitch button can be actuated from outside by foot or with a hand. Theswitch button 34 is seated on an upper part 36, which is connected inactuating fashion to a switch 37.

On the back side 16, there is a cord post 38 for holding a power cord 42that can be wound around it and that emerges, through a watertightoutlet opening not identified by reference numeral in the back side 16and can be coupled electrically in the interior of the case 13 to amotor 104 via a cord clamp 39. In the interior of the case 13, there isa cord harness 40, which connects the switch 37 to the motor 104 and toother electrical elements that are not shown.

A cord holder 41 can be firmly clamped to the edge of the cord post 38,and with this holder the free end of the power cord 42 can be clampedfirmly but removably to it.

Between a motor case lid 61 and a motor case 62 for receiving the motor104 for driving a suction fan, not identified by reference numeral,there is a motor case seal 42.

The suction opening 32 is closable by means of a removable suction lid48, which prevents dust and chips from its dust box 55 from being ableto fall out while the drive unit 10 is being carried. The blower opening33 is covered by an outlet filter 44 which is firmly retained on it bymeans of an outlet grille 46 there.

The dust box 55 is closable essentially in airtight fashion by a dustlid 56 by means of a dust seal 57; the dust lid 56 can be convenientlyopened or closed by means of a latchlike protrusion 49. In the dust lid56, there is a bypass 50, which if the dust box 55 is overfilled opens avalve 53, by way of which air enters, bypassing the suction opening 32.The bypass 50 comprises a fixation lid 51, which carries the valve 53and a seal 52; the valve 53 is kept prestressed by a spring 54 and doesnot open and allow additional air in until beyond a minimumunderpressure.

The motor case 62 is joined to the dust box 55 through a common opening,which is covered by an intake filter 54. The intake filter 53 preventsaspirated air chips and dust from reaching the motor 105.

The motor case lid 61 is pivotable about a hinge, not shown, for openingand closing purposes. On the side diametrically opposite the hinge, itis provided with a finger grip 60, into which the fingers of one handcan be placed in a gripping manner for opening the motor case lid 61.

The snap closures 30, 31 comprise two toggle levers 64, 65, which areeach pivotable about a respective axis 68 by means of a respectivetensing button 66 and a respective detent lever 67. Thus the lid 24 isclosable—pivotable about a hinge side 26—relative to the case 13 in away that is secure against unwanted opening.

FIG. 2 shows the drive unit 10 obliquely from behind, looking toward theback side 16; the cord post 38 with the cord holder 41 are clearlyvisible. It can also be seen that the face of the cord post 38 is solarge that it can act as a parking face for setting down the drive unit.The shell-type construction of the housing 11 of the drive unit 10 canalso be seen, along with the disposition of the suction and bloweropenings 32, 33.

FIG. 3 shows the drive unit 10 of FIG. 1 obliquely from the top with thelid 24 open, looking into its interior. The intended spiral arrangementof the suction hose 78 to be put in place and the design of theretaining and clamping elements 45 for receiving it in the lid 24 arevisible. Moreover, the top view on the case 13, switch button 34,opening 29 in the lid 24 for the passage through it of the switch button34, the latch 49 for pivoting/opening the dust lid 56 about its hinge560, the bypass 50 seated on it, the finger grip 60 for opening themotor case lid 61, a storage compartment 63 for accommodating a deltasander 70 and accessories 98 are all shown. It can be seen thatapproximately half the volume of the case 13 is available foraccommodating the delta sander, and the entire volume of the lid 24 isavailable for accommodating the suction hose 78.

FIG. 4 shows the drive unit 10 obliquely from above looking toward theleft side 18 with the suction opening 32 and the blower opening 33 andtoward the front side 14 and the top side 25; the details describedabove are clearly shown and need not be repeated.

FIG. 5 shows the drive unit 10 with the suction hose 78 placed in aspiral on the inside in the open lid 24, similarly to FIG. 3, but theaccessories 98 are different.

FIG. 6 shows a suction-operated handheld power sander designed as aturbine delta sander 70, for operation with the drive unit 10. Thehandheld power sander has a housing 71 shaped like an iron for clothing,with an upper region that can be grasped by the hand and that serves asa guiding handle 72. Toward the back, the housing 71 continues in theform of a tubular housing region 73 which serves as a main handle thatis conveniently grasped by the hand that operates the tool.

This main handle opens into a coupling stub 80, into which a hosecoupling piece 81 of the suction hose 78 can be inserted in overlookingfashion for connecting the delta sander 70 to a drive unit 10 foroperation with suction. At the top in the region of the guiding handle,a switch button 74 is located, with which the flow of suction can bereduced. With the suction, a turbine, not shown, in the interior of thehousing 71 that sets a sander plate 76 into orbital motion is driven.

The house coupling piece 81 is connectable in form-locking andoverlooking fashion to the coupling stub 80 via detent cams 82, andthere it enters into detent openings, not identified by referencenumeral, in the wall of the coupling stub 80.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the drive unit 10—broken down into itsindividual parts. The details and characteristics described inconjunction with the previous drawings are shown especially clearly.

FIG. 8 a shows a hose coupling for attaching the suction hose to thedrive unit 10 or to a delta sander 70 or similar air-driven handheldpower tool.

FIG. 8 b shows a blower adapter 83, which comprises a top plate 100 thatis provided with a connection stub 101, which serves to connect thesuction hose 78 to the blower opening 33, and this opening can bereplaced for the outlet grille 46 with the outlet filter 44 for thesuction mode.

To that end, the top plate is provided on its lateral ends with detenttongues 84, which can be clipped onto the left side 18 on the outside inthe region of the blower opening 33.

FIG. 8 c shows a hose coupling piece 85 for connecting the suction hose78 to a slender (19 mm) suction hose connection/waste air stub of anelectric handheld power tool that produces a medium to a large amount ofdust.

FIG. 8 d shows another coupling piece 88 for connecting the suction hose78 to a somewhat less-slender (35 mm) suction hose connection of anelectric power tool that produces a medium to a large amount of dust.

FIG. 8 e shows an intermediate hose coupling 91 for coupling a suctionextractor hose lengthening piece, whose diameter matches that of thesuction extraction hose 78.

FIG. 8 f shows a drilling aid 93 for passing through a drill for suctionextraction of the drilling dust produced in drilling.

Upon connection to the suction opening 32, the drive unit 10 can drivethe following devices by suction, for instance, and simultaneouslyextract the dust and dirt produced by suction, dust and dirt that isfiltered out by an arbitrary filter system: oscillating/multisander,eccentric sander, plaster cardboard cutter, drilling aid.

On being connected to the blower opening 33, the drive unit 10 canoperate the following devices with the “compressed” air flow: paintspray gun, blower nozzle/joining nozzle, hot-air gun, valve attachmentfor inflating inflatable rafts and air mattresses, etc.

In the case 13 of the drive unit 10, there is a storage compartment 63for the delta sander 70 and suction function accessories, such as ajoining nozzle, drilling aid 93, adapter for power tools 85, 88, adapterfor vacuum cleaner accessories, sandpaper (Z), or the like.

The power cord 42 is wound around the cord post 38 on the back side 16of the drive unit 10 and secured to the cord post 38 with a cliplikecord holder 41. The cord post 38 can also be used as a parking face forstowing the drive unit 10 upright.

The blower adapter 83 for replacement with the blower grille 44 servesto provide improved air throughput in the suction mode and betterpressure buildup in the blower mode.

The suction hose 78 has a coupling stub 80, acting as a fast-actioncoupler, with which it can be connected to vacuum cleaners, turbinedelta sanders, or other associated devices.

The switch button 34 on the upper edge/corner makes it possible to turnthe device on and off conveniently using the foot, and to turn thedevice on and off either with the lid open and with the lid closed.

The case 13 stiffened with side shells 19, 21, which are braced againstand/or screwed to the skeleton case 22. Only by using astiffer/higher-quality material for part of it can the strength of theskeleton case 22 be increased without having to use the more-expensivematerial for the entire housing 11.

Both the suction opening 32 and the blower opening 33 with fingerdepression are integrated into one side shell 19, so that in thatlocation there is great freedom of design with simpler unmolding of theinjection-molded part.

The lid shell 23 is likewise located, in the form of a concave insertionpart, centrally in the handle region of the handle piece 28 in the flatlid 24. As a result, this region can be better unmolded from theinjection molding tool; the stackability of the drive unit is assured,and upon use, the storage place for small parts or tools with the lidclosed is assured and is used as a design element.

The bypass valve 50 in the dust lid 56 are alternatively in the filterhousing assures that the motor 104 will not run at an overload when thedust bag is added. The motor is cooled with the suction. If the dust bagis full of the ground material, or its pores have become clogged, theremaining cooling air can no longer cool the motor 104 adequatelywithout a bypass valve 50. The motor would then overheat. Theunderpressure/bypass valve 50 opens as soon as the underpressure in thefilter space between the dust filter and the motor fan, drops below adefined value, which can be set via a spring 54. By opening the bypassvalve 50, air is additionally aspirated, bypassing the filter, foradequately cooling the motor [7].

When the drive unit 10 is being carried, the escape of dust and dirtfrom the suction opening 32 is prevented by the disposition of thesuction lid 48. Opening is made easier by a grip depression in the sidepart [24], and loss is prevented by fastening with a pin to the sidepart [24].

1. A portable drive unit (10) for operating a handheld power tool (70)by means of suction and/or blown air, characterized in that it has ahousing (11), which is designed as a case (13) that is closable with alid (24), and that its air feeding power is adapted to the powerrequirement of the handheld power tool (70), and it serves to store atleast one such or similar handheld power tool (70), particularly withits accessories, such as air-carrying tubes and hoses.
 2. The portabledrive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in that its housing(11) is designed as a rectangular case, with outward-curved edges,rounded corners, and a flat lid (24) curves inward in dishlike fashion,as well as with a flat underside and top side (15, 25).
 3. The portabledrive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in that its housing(11) comprises a case part (13), open at the top, which is openable andclosable at the top by means of a lid (24) that in particular is hingedabout a hinge region (26).
 4. The portable drive unit (10) as defined byclaim 3, characterized in that the lid (24) is formed of two parts (23,27), of which one flat outer lid shell (23) has a central opening (280),which is spanned by a strutlike bridge (28) and has curved edges andcorners, and an inner lid shell (27) engages the opening (280) frombelow and has a spacing toward the bottom from the strutlike bridge(28).
 5. The portable drive unit (10) as defined by claim 1,characterized in that a side face (16) of the case (13) has at leastone, in particular mushroom-shaped protrusion (38), around which a powercord (42) can be wound and thus retained, and the protrusion (38) formsa parking face on which the drive unit (10) can set down and at the sametime forms an impact face, for absorbing unwanted impacts for instancein heavy-duty construction site operation, on a hinge region (26) of thelid (24).
 6. The portable drive unit (10) as defined by one of the claim1, characterized in that elements for firmly holding the handheld powertool (70), in particular elastic elements for firm holding and clamping,preferably in the form of inflatable air cushions, are located in thecase (13).
 7. The portable drive unit (10) as defined by claim 1,characterized in that on one of the two shorter side faces (18, 20) ofthe case (13), suction and blower openings (32, 33) with means forcoupling a suction hose (78) are located, in particular side by side. 8.The portable drive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized inthat the case (13) comprises a case skeleton (22), which forms riblikereinforcing parts.
 9. The portable drive unit (10) as defined by claim1, characterized in that recesses (69) on the reinforcing parts areprovided, which are closable by means of attachable elastic shells (19,21) of softer, less-expensive material.
 10. The portable drive unit (10)as defined by claim 1, characterized in that hand-actuatable parts, suchas lid closure buttons and a sealing lid, have a contrasting colorcompared to the housing (11).
 11. The portable drive unit (10) asdefined by claim 1, characterized in that the case (13) has at least onevertical partition, which in the housing (11) forms a storagecompartment (63) for the handheld power tool (70).
 12. The portabledrive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in thatcharacterized in that the two cases (55, 62), located side by side andin particular integrated with the case (13), in particular each havingits own lid (48, 61), are closable, preferably in interlocking fashion,receive the motor (105), and act as a dust box.
 13. The portable driveunit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the two cases amotor case (62) and a dust box (55) with dust monitoring means.
 14. Theportable drive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in thatlocated on the inside of the lid (24) are retaining means (94) forreceiving the suction hose (78), and these means are locatable inoverlooking fashion, spirally, parallel to the lid (24).
 15. Theportable drive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in that abypass valve (50) is located on the dust lid (56).
 16. The portabledrive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in that sealingmeans are located between the lids (24, 56, 61) and the case (13, 55,62).
 17. The portable drive unit (10) as defined by claim 1,characterized in that located in the interior of the drive unit (10), inparticular in the storage compartment (63) or in the interior of the lid(24), are lighting means, in particular with LEDs and/or in the form ofa fluorescent written marking.
 18. The portable drive unit (10) asdefined by claim 1, characterized in that hand-actuatable user controlelements (30, 31, 34), particularly for opening and closing a lid or foractuating a switch button for turning the drive unit on or off, arelocated inside the outer contour of the housing (11).
 19. The portabledrive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the switchbutton (34) for turning the drive unit on or off is accessible fromoutside for foot- or hand-operated control via an opening (29) in thelid (24).
 20. The portable drive unit (10) as defined by claim 1,characterized in that a blower adapter (83) is located in fixablefashion on the blower opening (33) and is replaceable by a blower grille(46), in particular having a dust filter (44).
 21. The portable driveunit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized in that an adapter forthe suction hose (78) is provided, with which the hose can be coupled tohandheld power tools, such as electric handheld oscillating sanders,with a suction stub of a different diameter from the suction hose (78).22. The portable drive unit (10) as defined by claim 1, characterized inthat an intermediate hose coupling (91) is provided, for coupling thesuction hose (78) to an extension piece for the suction hose.